crewdawg

If it's any consolation, some of them treat DAL pilots like criminals too.

Hotel Kilo

No, we haven't. If you are an OAL riding on our jumpseat, a Delta pilot can show up within 15 minutes and bump you off the JS. It's no different than any other air line. I've been bumped off UAL, JB, SWA, AA and even our "WO" (Endeavor) JS for this very thing. We are no different than any of those other carriers regarding OAL JS'ers versus our own pilots. The reason gate agents wait to let you board as an OAL JS'er is for this very reason.

Personally I've never had an issue with my bag. There's usually room some place on that aircraft for it. I've even had the CA on a 73 let me put my bag on top of theirs (if you commute on a 73 you know what I'm talking about). Sometimes being nice to the FA's helps too. They'll often help you find some space on the jet (usually FC or even the closet) to stow your bag. When an OAL JS'er I always keep in mind that I could get bumped by that airline's own pilots wishing to occupy their JS. No biggie. It is what it is. Regarding the 20 early thing - rarely happens. I find not only us (DAL) but all carriers crews very cognizant of doing the walk or at least looking up at the gate area (assuming one can see it from the ground) to see if someone is waiting (SWA folks are the best at this BTW). It's real easy and most are telling the gate agents to hold the door. If it gets bad you tell them you need to use the restroom up the terminal or something like that and that usually simmers them down. I commute. Been commuting a long time. Never had these issues to which you speak. In fact quite the opposite. Had a captain on one of our flights I was commuting on ask me to take the FA jumpseat so we could get an OAL person on the flight deck jump seat. Of course I agreed. And yes, to complete the circle, as an OAL JS'er, you can always be bumped by an pilot from that airline on their JS.

ThumbsUp

Sorry, but it is different. The ghost jumpseater showing up when there are 10 open seats in the back isn’t going to hinder my ability to get home. It’ll just make me have to get my luggage from baggage claim. I still appreciate the ride—just wish it wasn’t a PITA as it is unlike everywhere else. At UAL, you’re welcome to come down and store your bag in the cabin.

Whoopsmybad

well considering most don’t even start clearing g our own employees, with tons of open seats, until the very end says that they aren’t going to get to you until the last last. I wish it was different, I hate getting told I need to hurry when I was #2 on the non rev list and there was 40 open seats and they waited to clear me until 10 minutes to push. It’s a culture problem here, not just someone out for you.

notEnuf

The leave early thing at DAL has gotten way out of control. Had an agent close up 20 early with no communication to the crew while we were trying to verify a clearance. We were not able to push until D+5 because of congestion. On another flight we were running late and got to the jet D-25 due to the ATL bag drag and gate proximity inhibitor policies. The agent asked if she could close up while the FO was still on the ramp because they moved the departure up 10 minutes, we had no idea this was the case and closed up on time (the original departure time) and were blamed for a delay and got the usual "explain yourself" ACARS message. I would hate to commute as DAL has become the "go when ready" airline, published departure times mean nothing.

ugleeual

thats crap for CSRs to close door in their own. At UAL the CSR has to leave door open until Captain clears them.

CBreezy

They are supposed to do that here but because we are the only union on the line and a heavy dose of Koolaid, both the FAs and the Gate Agents feel like if time is a crunch, they don't need to ask permission. Plus, there are a lot of CAs who are mission before people.

Agent62

Long winded post providing an great example of exactly the issue with DAL these days, thanks.

You know at other airlines they'll let you go down and stow your bag and check in with the crew so it's not a scramble last minute, but oh, I just answered the OPs question.

If a Delta guy shows up 15 prior to take his rightful jumpseat, the other guy can, you know, just leave. It's really not a big deal.

But no no, let's just make people stand around until the very end (and usually far before 15 anyway!) and then say it's so close to departure you have to check your bag stat.

It's called empathy, but naw, it makes sense the way it is!

Whoopsmybad

So you want them to let you down early and stow your bag on a flight you don’t know if you are going to get on? And then have to go back down and get it?

Makes perfect sense.

I don’t like the way we necessarily do the boarding and all, but that’s just silly.

ThumbsUp

Seems to work everywhere else—you generally have an idea if you are going to get on whether through staff traveler or just simply asking the agent. Why make it such a PITA? You don’t have to defend ridiculous practices just because you work there.